The number of Moroccan expatriates returning home under the “Marhaba 2025” operation has surpassed 2.78 million as of August 4, marking a 10.37% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to Omar Moussa Abdellah, Project Manager and Coordinator of the operation at the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.
Speaking to Radio Tangier Med, Abdellah revealed that a total of 338,360 vehicles entered Morocco between June 10—the official launch of this year’s operation—and August 4, representing a 3.74% increase compared to last year.
He emphasized that these figures highlight a clear rise in the number of Moroccans living abroad returning for the summer holidays, contrary to rumors suggesting otherwise. “Marhaba 2025 is progressing successfully and under excellent conditions at all levels,” he said.
The Tangier Med Port has played a pivotal role, receiving 555,753 members of the Moroccan diaspora and 175,808 vehicles—accounting for 35.87% of total arrivals by sea and land. Meanwhile, Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport topped air entries, welcoming 320,395 individuals, which constitutes 25% of all arrivals by air.
Regarding support services, Abdellah noted that the Mohammed V Foundation teams have provided 45,465 social, medical, and administrative services across border crossings and rest areas. This includes 2,858 medical interventions, with around 50 urgent cases transferred to hospitals and over 800 travelers assisted after vehicle breakdowns or logistical challenges.
Looking ahead to the departure phase, Abdellah affirmed that the Foundation’s teams—working alongside all stakeholders—are fully mobilized to ensure smooth organization and support as travelers return to their countries of residence.
For his part, Jaafar Amiyar, Director of the Tangier Med Passenger Port, described the port as “the primary gateway for Moroccans returning to the homeland.” He confirmed a 6% increase in passenger traffic and a 4% rise in vehicle entries through the port under the ongoing operation.
Amiyar outlined several measures implemented in cooperation with authorities to streamline travel through the port, including enhanced coordination with the General Directorate for National Security, Customs and Indirect Tax Administration, and local authorities, which have helped reduce border and customs processing times.
Additionally, Amiyar announced that starting August 1 through August 31, travelers must hold pre-booked tickets with a specific date and time to access the port. This measure aims to regulate passenger flow and ensure smoother transit through Tangier Med, aligned with ferry capacity.
He called on all travelers—particularly members of the Moroccan diaspora—to confirm their ferry bookings at Tangier Med rest stops (located at the Tangier highway entrance and Ksar Sghir), or via shipping companies’ websites, apps, and customer service lines. He also urged travelers to plan their return trips outside peak periods, especially during weekends and the final week of August.
